Toronto’s got a reputation for playing games – in the best possible way. Whether you’re looking for a board game cafe for a twist on the standard date night, a little Thursday night pinball action, or a high intensity ping ping game, you'll be sure to escape the everyday routine at these local spots. [Image credit: iStock.com/BraunS]
The original player in Toronto’s game scene, Snakes and Lattes has nestled in so seamlessly that we can’t remember life without it. Pay a flat fee of just a few dollars and get access to unlimited games for however long you stay. If you need game tips or food recommendations, the staff is always happy to help.
Next time you’re looking for a seriously wicked pool and billiards experience, skip the more conventional locales and head to Pegasus. This Church Street mainstay is one of the few bars to resist gentrification and has done so by cultivating a fun combo of booze and games every night of the week, whether you want to play pool, electronic darts, pinball or trivia. When Toronto sports teams are in the playoffs, you can catch the action on the big screen.
So, how’s your ping-pong game? There’s only one way to find out and the folks at SPiN are happy to host you every night of the week. You can show up as a regular Joe or become a member for extra perks – either way, everyone gets access to the same great selection of craft brews and tasty eats. Helpful staff members patrol the tables collecting wayward balls so you can put all your energy into your paddle.
Grab your gear and get ready to get messy. At Sgt. Splatters, you can be a kid again and run around in Canada’s largest indoor paintball facility with 35,000 square feet. There are half-price specials on Mondays and Tuesdays and, as if that’s not good enough, you can also rent out the entire two-storey space for your birthday party.
Consider this the nexus of the universe for anyone with a dual passion for craft beer and arcade games. The shabby chic decor feels just right with a row of wall-mounted taps behind the bar, a rusted tin ceiling and your eccentric grandma’s framed art rescued from untold flea markets or salvaged from the curb. Grab a pint and get to grinding on one of the vintage pinball machines that line the back of the room. It’s great to be an adult!
It’s the original gangster on the adult-arcade scene so it’s pretty hard to think of a reason why you shouldn’t head west to Mississauga any night of the week. They’ve got hundreds of video games, bumper cars, mini- golf, go-karts and plenty of simulators – everything you need to relive your childhood.
The rules are simple: pick one of the many themed rooms and take less than 45 minutes to make your escape. At Trapped!, you work as part of a team and have to use everyone’s physical and mental abilities to solve puzzles and get out before time expires. Each room represents a series of hair-raising events, like being trapped in an abandoned hospital or Egyptian tomb.
Don’t let the name fool you – there’s not much dancing going on here as everyone’s too busy trying their hand at bowling, ping-pong, foosball or Xbox. With plenty of big screen TVs, you can always catch whatever game is playing if you’re not making your own fun. Come early and stay late – there’s plenty of food and beer to see you through.